How serious is the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups? David Cameron, the British prime minister, called FIFA President Sepp Blatter to offer his "apologies" that he will on a family vacation next week when FIFA inspectors will visit England on their 2018/22 World Cup inspection tour.

Blatter reportedly told Cameron the prime minister's absence would not have a negative effect on England's bid. The bid team, headed by Chilean Harold Mayne-Nicholls will be hosted by the deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, who is in charge of national affairs during Cameron's vacation.

England began the 2018/22 campaign as the favorite among European bidders, but it is believed to have fallen behind Russia in the 2018 race. The USA is the 2022 favorite.